Plant & Food Research scientist Annette Richardson has received the 2023 Kiwifruit Innovation Award, honoring her work in exploring budbreak — a crucial stage in the growth cycle of kiwifruit, according to a news release.
Richardson is an expert in plant physiology and has explored kiwifruit growing techniques to support future production throughout her almost 40-year career, the release said. Her budbreak work has led to advancements that have helped increase yields and contributed to the overall quality of kiwifruit crops, according to the release.
“She has the incredible ability to take complex science and convey it to the industry in a way which people can understand and use,” Zespri Chairman and award judge Bruce Cameron said in the release. “Her work in researching kiwifruit budbreak and vines, in new cultivar development and in supporting the industry’s ongoing use of Hi-Cane through modifying it for new gold and red varieties, as well as its alternatives, has helped shape the way kiwifruit is grown and ensured the industry can adapt to meet growing demand for kiwifruit around the world and return more value back to growers and our communities.”
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Richardson said in the release she was gratified for the recognition.
“This is an exciting industry to be a part of — it’s really rewarding to see all that industry has achieved over a few decades and I know there’s an exciting future ahead,” she said. “Collaboration is a key part of the sector’s success and Plant & Food Research is fortunate to be working alongside great partners such as Zespri, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, Kiwifruit Vine Health and the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre as well as kiwifruit growers.”
Established in 2015 by former chairman of Kiwifruit New Zealand, Brian Elwood, the Kiwifruit Innovation Award recognizes people who have solved a problem or created value for the kiwifruit industry through great innovation.
